Providence In the News

Mercury Thermometer Exchange at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital’s Community Recycling Day

Vancouver, August 1, 2007 — Members of the public are invited to exchange their old mercury-filled thermometers for a free digital thermometer at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital on Saturday, August 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The mercury used in old thermometers is toxic and can pose a health hazard, especially to children. Disposal in household garbage is not advised as the mercury will end up in landfills, contaminating surrounding soil and water.

Patient and Resident Care Boosted at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital

Vancouver, July 23, 2007 — Patient and resident care at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital recently got a boost of $870,000 in funding for medical equipment from the new Tapestry Foundation for Health Care.
A large number of priority equipment needs are being addressed with the funding that includes critical care beds, pressure relief mattresses, a microscope for surgical eye procedures, and a patient wandering system for residents in extended care.

Novel Genetics Research Advances Possibility of HIV Vaccine

Vancouver, July 6, 2007 — A pioneering collaborative study has discovered how the HIV virus evades the human body's immune system.
The research collaborative - involving scientists from the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Microsoft Research and Los Alamos National Laboratory - used highly computer-intensive, cutting-edge statistical research methods to investigate how the HIV virus mutates to escape the body's immune system.

Providence Health Care Earns Fourth consecutive 3M Award with Medication Safety Project for Seniors

Vancouver, June 14, 2007 — A team of caregivers from Providence Health Care (PHC) has once again won a 3M Health Care Quality Team Award from the Canadian College of Health Service Executives (CCHSE). This marks the fourth consecutive year that PHC has won this national honour that recognizes innovation, quality and teamwork in health care.

St. Paul’s Hospital Celebrates 100th Anniversary of the Opening of its School of Nursing

Vancouver, May 24, 2007 — Vancouver, May 24, 2007 – More than 500 graduates of the St. Paul’s Hospital (SPH) School of Nursing are expected to gather at the St. Paul’s Conference Centre on Sunday, May 27, to mark both the 100th year anniversary and the half-century milestone of the class that graduated in 1957.

New Health Care Foundation Builds on Success of the Past, Provides Strength for the Future

Vancouver, April 19, 2007 - Three organizations with a long and successful history of supporting health care – St. Vincent’s, Holy Family and Mount Saint Joseph Hospital Foundations – have been merged into one. The new Tapestry Foundation for Health Care creates a stronger voice promoting better health care for patients and residents.

Providence Health Care Offers Their Help in the Downtown Eastside

Vancouver, April 14, 2007 – Providence Health Care (PHC) is helping to bring relief to residents of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, Canada's poorest urban neighborhood. On Saturday, April 14, staff, physicians and volunteers from across PHC will gather at Oppenheimer Park to provide food, toiletries, footwear and socks to over 500 people. Many of those who will come to this highly anticipated event are homeless or poor families in dire need of food and clothing.

HIV Health Outcomes Show Three-Fold Improvement Since Mid-90s

Vancouver, April 4, 2007 — HIV patients starting treatment are nearly three times less likely to die than those who began in the mid-90s, says a large study authored by the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.
The study, published in the current issue of AIDS, examines how the evolution of antiretroviral therapies over the past 12 years have impacted HIV patients' life expectancy in B.C. The study represents one of the largest comparative evaluations yet published.

5th Annual Geriatrics Conference "Perspectives on Dementia" provides education for BC caregivers

Vancouver, February 21, 2007 — More than 300 professional caregivers throughout BC will be in Vancouver Friday, February 23, 2007 to participate in the 5th Annual Geriatric Services Conference “Perspectives on Dementia” at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre (8:30 am – 4:30 pm).
Hosted by St. Vincent’s & Holy Family Health Care Foundation, the Conference offers a unique educational opportunity for caregivers working in the field of geriatrics and eldercare.

Claude Lenfant, Former Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, to speak at the 2007 Copland Lecture

Vancouver, February 7, 2007 —
Dr. Claude Lenfant, former Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will deliver the 2006 Copland Lectureship at St. Paul’s Hospital, on Friday, February 9, 2007 from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm in the New Lecture Theatre at Providence Health Care’s St. Paul’s Hospital.

Revamped HIV Clinic Sees Sharp Increase in Patients Health Improvements

January 16, 2007 — Reductions in acute emergency department visits, a drop in the rate of hospitalization and improved health outcomes for HIV-positive patients are being attributed to the John Ruedy Immunodeficiency Clinic's recent revamp. B.C.'s only clinic offering specialized and primary HIV care also continues to see significant increases in patient numbers. As of 2005, registered patients at the Centre's John Ruedy Immunodeficiency Clinic (IDC) increased 56%, to 15,239 from 9,785 in 2002.

St. Paul's Hospital light campaign raises more than $2.3 million

Vancouver, January 12, 2007 — Support from the community enabled St. Paul's Hospital Foundation to raise more than $2 million during the recent Lights of Hope campaign. By the time the donated light display was turned off for the last time January 5, the fundraising total had reached a record $2,329,092.
The distinctive display that graces the front of the hospital each year is built by volunteers using donated products notes Foundation executive director Jane Adams.

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